Last week brought a new landmark for Hong Kong’s art scene. The Hong Kong International Art Fair was held for the first time, confirming the explosion of interest in art in the city. Judging by the turnout, the Art Fair’s debut was a major success. (more…)

There are several reasons why I normally don’t do restaurant reviews. Stated simply, personal tastes differ; standards differ; individual dining experiences may be different; and restaurants can be inconsistent. I don’t want the reputation of Hong Kong Hustle in doubt because the chef was out sick the night that you decided to visit, or you ordered an obscure dish that the restaurant doesn’t specialize in. But I’m willing to break my rule on the rare occasion that I discover someplace truly special. The newly relaunched Chez Moi restaurant on 10 Arbuthnot Road in Central is one of those cases. (more…)

Swedish artist Anna Fredriksson will be painting at a new streetwear store named LOADING in Tsim Sha Tsui on Saturday night. Among other accomplishments, Anna has had her artwork sold on t-shirts at H&M. The event takes place from 7:00 - 11:00 pm. (more…)

It was a night to remember, but probably one that will only be recalled in bits and pieces for some of the Alive Not Dead gang that attended. (more…)

Legendary New York d.j. and producer David Morales will be playing at Dragon-i on Saturday night. David Morales is a top name who has spanned several decades of dance music. As a prolific remixer he’s worked with nearly every major diva in club music and many in Pop as well. Even among veterans there are very few who can match his string of accomplishments, including being a Grammy award winner. (more…)

People in Hong Kong refer to a certain manner of dress as Mongkok-style, more commonly abbreviated by the acronym, ‘M.K.‘. Mongkok of course is one of the city’s thriving shopping and eating centers on Kowloon side. It’s also literally one of the most densely populated neighborhoods on the planet.

The term Mongkok-style can be used for many different things. It can have negative connotations in addition to positive ones. The negatives relate to the areas cramped quarters and the prevalence of fake items. (I personally like Mongkok as much as Causeway Bay and don’t agree with the negative term.) In a positive way, marketers have harnessed the term ‘Mongkok-style’ to convey authenticity and to give a product street-cred. A diverse range of items use the term including a kind of potato chips, which mimic a type of sausage sold by street vendors in Mongkok.

When it comes to fashion, I’ve been trying to uncover the origins of M.K.-style for a long time and I actually have a confession: I used to dress ‘M.K’ many years ago. At the time I thought it was T.S.T. style since I bought the shirts from a local designer shop in the Beverly Shopping Center in Tsim Sha Tsui. But thinking back now, I was definitely on the forefront of M.K. style for a good two years!

In conducting my investigation, the first question I needed to answer was: what exactly is M.K. style? FULL POST COMING SOON!

If you’re a regular reader of Hong Kong Hustle you know that I’ve written about the city’s mini-malls regularly. I’ve explained the logic behind them due to Hong Kong’s exorbitant rents and the scarcity of land. I explained how they’re useful for new designers who can’t afford premium ground floor locations. I’ve also talked about a recent resurgence in the shopping centers and the trend to convert semi-profitable large spaces (such as cinemas) into compartmentalized mini-malls. Well, it’s recently gone one step further. (more…)

Say you’re looking for something to do besides hitting the usual nightspots. Or it’s a rainy day and you want to have some indoor fun. Bowling, that ancient sport not normally associated with Hong Kong, is a good option.

Though not very conspicuous, there are several major bowling alleys scattered around town. There’s even a well stocked pro shop hidden down a sleepy side street in Causeway Bay. Do you know which top Hong Kong singer / actor is also a famous bowler? (more…)

I was cutting through Sharp Street in back of Times Square last night when I saw a bright wall decorating an area under construction. The temporary facade featured scores of colorfully animated characters including the iconic Julius the monkey. The words at the top said “Stick around to find out where Julius and Friends sail off to next.” Below it noted simply “the paul frank store.” Hong Kong’s been waiting for this! (more…)

Last night on a whim I headed over to the Java Road Cooked Food Centre for the first time in a few years. Located in North Point, it’s similar to the Wong Nai Chung Cooked Food Centre in Happy Valley. Situated above a live market, it feels as though you’re dining seaside at an outdoor restaurant. To summarize briefly, good food, reasonable prices and unique market ambiance make the place a Hong Kong classic. (more…)